Oral exerciser with position retaining feature and method of using same



United States Patent lnventor Betty N. Robins 17365 Westover Road, Southi'ield, Mich. 48075 AppL N01 701,999

Filed Jan. 31, 1968 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 568,813, July 29, 1966, Patent No. 3,386,732 Patented Dec. 15, 1970 ORAL EXERCISER WITH POSITION RETAINING FEATURE AND METHOD OF USING SAME 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[1.8. CI 272/57 Int. Cl. A63b 23/00 Field of Search 272/57; l28/i 36, 60, 76

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,685.287 8/1954 Goliier 128/60 3.091237 5/1963 Skinner 128/60 3,126,002 3/1964 128/136 3217708 11/1965 128/136 3,386,732 6/1968 Robins 272/57 Primary Examiner-Richard C Pinkham Assistant Examiner- Richard W. Diaz, J r. Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: An elongated slightly flexible generally noncompressible arcuate member which is insertable between a lip and the underlying gum area for use in the strengthening of the surrounding facial muscles through a selective tensioning and relaxing of the lip over the outward bulge created by the member. The member includes a centrally located laterally projecting platelike portion which is engaged by the teeth of I the second gum area for retaining the position of the member during the use thereof.

PATENIED HUI] 5M3 SHEET 2 OF 2 Barry IV. Robins IN VIiN'l'OK.

ORAL EXERCISER WITH POSITION RETAINING FEATURE AND METHOD OF USING SAME This is a continuation-in-part of application 'Ser. No. 568,813, filed Jul. 29, 1966, for ORAL FACIAL- EXER- CISER, and since matured into U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,732, dated June 4, I968. v

The instant invention generally relates to'oral exercising devices, and more particularly with apparatus and an associated method for strengthening and tightening the muscles of the face,jowl, and lip areas.

It is a significant object of the instant invention to provide exercising apparatus which is easily introduced into the mouth and which, through a movement ofv the lips thereover, produces a limited stressing of predetermined muscles so as to effect a strengthening thereof. In conjunctionwith the above object, it is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide devices which are particularly adapted to engage both under the upper lip and under the'lower lip, and which additionally incorporate retaining means whereby, through the teeth of the opposed gum area, the device can be effectively retained in position during the exercising operation.

Further, it is an important object of theiinstant invention to provide apparatus and a method of conditioning and strengthening the sagging facial muscles soas to tighten the skin of the face, jowl and lip areas, this inturn reducing or removing wrinkling and sagging of the skin.

In conjunction with the above object, it 15; further object of the instant invention to provide apparatus and an associated method whereby the desired exercisingcan beeffected with a minimum of effort and in a manner which can be done by any individual, requiring no medical supervisiono'r the like.

In addition, animportant object of-the instant invention resides in the provision of a device which'is inexpensive, small, easily carried on ones person, and capable of being quickly and easily inserted and removed.

Basically, the objects of the instant invention are achieved through the utilization of an exercising device adapted for insertion between either the upper or the lower, lip and the underlying gum area with the device extending along the gum area and into the adjacent cheek areas. A' central platelike portion extends laterally for engagement of the teeth of the second gum area thereagainst in maintainingthe position of the device during the exercising operation which comprises a stressing of the lip over the device.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the. accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: v I

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the form .of the device of the instant invention particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the upper lip area;

' FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device. as orientated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device as orientated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken substantially on a plane passing alongline 4-4 inFIG. l and with the device in its operative position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; .j

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of theform of the device particularly adapted for use with the lower lip area;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the device aslillustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken substantially on the plane passing along line 8-8 in FIG. 6 and illustrating the device in its installed operative position; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken substantially on a plane passing along line 9-9 in F 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 5, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the form of the exercisingdevice or apparatus particularly adapted for utilization between the upper lip and the underlying gum area as suggested in FIG. 4. This exerciser 10 is to preferably be formed of a molded plastic or rubber composition which is shape-sustaining and relatively rigid in nature, while at the same time being capable ofa slight degree of resilient flexing so as to facilitate its introduction into and removal from the mouth of the user. The exerciser I0 is to actually consist of two parts, the elongated arcuate body or member 12 over which the upper lip l4is stressed, and an integrally formed centrally located laterally projecting platelike portion 16, the outer edge 18 of which is engaged by the lower teeth 20 so as to retain the body or member I2 in position.

The member or body 12 have a generally convex or arcuate configuration conformable to the curvature of the upper gum area so as to lie thereagainst beneath the upper lip 14 as suggested in FIGS. 4 and 5. The member 12 includes opposed or upper and lower edges 22 and 24 which are substantially parallel, smooth and generally transversely arcuate so as to form smooth surfaces. The longitudinal inner surface or face 26 of the body or member 12 is flat or slightly concave between the opposed arcuate edges 22 and 24 so as to seat snugly against the upper gum area and possibly a portion of the associated teeth. The outer surface 'or face 28 of the member 12 is slightly convex between the arcuate upper and lower edges 22 and 24 so as to smoothly bulge the upper lip 14, as well as the particular muscles involves, outwardly thereover. The opposed surfaces 26 and 28 generally parallel each other and are smooth and uninterrupted along the full length of the member 12, thereby forming a. member of up proximately constant cross section throughout the length thereof. Actually, with reference to FIG. 2 in particular, it will be noted that the end portions of the member I2, to the opposite sidesof the arcuate center section, are of a slight gradually increasing thickness to insure a proper bulging of the cheek areas immediately adjacent the-opposite sides of the upper lip area. In addition, with reference to FIG. I, it will be appreciated that the upper arcuate edge 22 actually includes a slight dip centrally therealong so as to be properly accommodated beneath the upper lip.

The platelike portion 16 is integrally formed with the lower member edge 24 and projects laterally therefrom a substantial distance to terminate in a generally straight lower edge 18 which, as indicated in FIG. 4, defines an outer surface of substantially greater front to back depth than the corresponding depth of the front teeth at the biting edges, and within which a longitudinally extending groove or seat 30. is defined. The inner and outer surfaces or faces of the portion I6 form smooth continuations of the inner and outer faces 26 and 28 of the member 12 with the portion 16 being slightly transversely arcuate so as to follow the longitudinally arcuate configuration of the central portion of the member 12.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the platelike portion 16 actually angles slightly inward relative to the body or member 12 so as to properly locate the longitu dinally grooved lower edge 18 thereof for reception of the lower teeth 20 in a positive seated manner within the groove 30. Finally, it should be appreciated'that all of the edges and corners not specifically mentioned will be rounded so as to not present any protruding sharp corners which might harm the users mouth. I

Reference is now had to FIGS. 4 and 5 which illustrate the positioning of the exerciser with the body or mcmber l2 orientated beneath the upper lip and against the upper gum and tooth area. The platelike portion 16 depends below the upper lip and has the grooved lower end 18 thereof engaged by the lower teeth 20 which act so as to wedge the arcuate member 12 upward beneath the upper lip 14 and retain the member 12 in position as the exercise is performed..ln this position, the body member 12 will underlie the orbicularis oris, quadratus propriate strengthening, will reduce sagging and wrinkling of the skin in the cheek and cheek bone areas of the face, as well as reduce the vertical lines or wrinkles around the lip area.

7 The actual exercising procedure subsequent to an insertion of the device 10 involves moving the upper lip 14 down over the outer surface 28 of the member 12 and drawing the lip inward against the resistance of the device, and simultaneously moving the corners of the mouth upward'in the manner of a smile. This action produces a downward pull upon the lip muscles (orbicularis oris), and an upward and outward pull on the other aforenamed muscles to produce the desired strengthening effect. It will be appreciated that engagement of the lower teeth with the member retaining platelike portion 16 effectively maintains the member 12 properly orientated throughout the exercise.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 6 through 9, it will be noted that a slightly different form of exerciser or exercising device 40 has been illustrated therein. This device 40 is particularly adapted for use between the lower lip 42 and the underlying gum area. The device 40, similar to the device 10, includes a generally arcuate or convex body or. member 44 and a centrally located integral laterally projecting platelike portion 46. The body or member 44 is quite similar in configuration to the body 12, including opposed substantially parallel smooth generally transversely arcuate longitudinal edges 48 and 50, a flat or slightly concave inner surface or face 52, and a convex outer surface or face 54 which acts so, as to outwardly bulge the lower lip 42. The member 44 is also of'an approximately constant cross section throughout the length thereof, becoming slightly enlarged or bulbous at the opposite end portions of the arcuate center section, for positioning beneath the cheek areas immediately adjoining the lip areas.

" lt will be noted that the lower transversely arcuate longitudinal edge 50 of the device 40, which corresponds to the upper edge 22 of the device 10, does not include the slight central dip appearing in edge 22. Further, the laterally projecting platelike portion 46 is of a lesser height than the corresponding platelike portion 16 so as to' enable a proper engagement of the upper teeth 56 in the longitudinally extending seating groove 58 defined in the outer or upper edge 60 of the portion 46. This outer edge 60, as indicated in the drawings, is of a substantially greater front to back depth than the corresponding depth of the front teeth at the biting edges to accommodate the teeth.

With reference to FIG. 8, it will be noted that a slight concavity or dip 62 is defined at the juncture of the outer face of the portion 46 and the body 44 for the smooth accommodation of the lowerlip.

The device 40 will be, as is readily apparent from FIGS. 8 and 9, positioned beneath the lower'lip 42 in overlying relation to the underlying gum and teeth area with the member or body 44 being maintained in position throughout the exercise by the upper teeth 56 engaged within the teeth seating groove 58. The actual exercise will involve a movement of the lower lip upwardly with the smooth convex outer surface 54 so as to stress the lip and the involved muscles over the member 44. At the same time, the corners of the mouth are moved upward, generally in the nature ofa smile. The muscles involved will of course be alternately stressed and relaxed. Utilized in this manner, the device 40 will effect a strengthening of the orbicularis oris, triangularis, and quadratus labii inferioris muscles.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a pair of highly unique oral exercisers have been defined, these exercisers complementing each other in being adapted to individually exercise the upper and lower lip areas with each device, while basically constructed and utilized in the same manner, incorporating slight structural differences which particularly adapt it for use in the particular orientation set forth for that exerciser.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily. occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

1 claim:

1. An exercising device for strengthening the facial muscles comprising an elongated generally constant cross section arcuate member insertable beneath a lip and over the underlying gum area of a user, said member being of a shape sustaining generally solid noncompressible nature capable of laterally flexing along the length thereof, said member having spaced substantially parallel smooth generally transversely arcuate longitudinal edges, a generally planar inner face adapted to seat against the gum area, and outer face generally paralleling said inner face and being outwardly convex relative thereto between the longitudinal edges, said outer face being adapted to have the lip positioned thereagainst and moved thereover, both of said faces having smooth uninterrupted surfaces along the full length ofsaid member, said member having slightly enlarged opposite end portions for engagement beneath predetermined areas of selected facial muscles toward the opposite sides of the mouth of the user upon engagement of the central portion of the member centrally beneath the lip of a user and against the underlying gum area, and a platelike portion affixed centrally along said member and projecting laterally therefrom for extension beyond the involved lip upon a positioning of the arcuate member between the lip and the corresponding gum area, said platelike portion terminating in an elongated free outer edge, said outer edge including means defining an outer surface seat of substantially greater front to back depth than the corresponding depth of the front teeth of a human'at the biting edges for engagement bythe teeth of the other gurn area.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the teeth seat comprises a groove defined in the outer edge longitudinally and centrally therealong for receiving the teeth edges.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said platelike portion is integrally formed with and generally follows the curvature of the adjoining portion of the arcuate member.

4. An exercising device for strengthening the facial muscles comprising an elongated arcuate member having spaced inner and outer faces and being insertable between a lip and the corresponding gum ofa user, and a retaining plate fixed centrally to said member and projecting generally laterally thereof, said plate presenting an elongated outer edge for engagement by the teeth associated with the second gum, said plate being substantially rigid and capable of transmitting a force from the teeth receiving edge to the arcuate member whereby a retention of the arcuate member can be effected by the edge engaging teeth, said plate edge having a longitudinal groove defined therein forming a seat for the teeth to be engaged therewith, said plate being integrally formed with the elongated arcuate member and, for the width of said plate, gene rally follows the curvature of said arcuate member.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the opposite ends of said arcuate member project beyond said plate, said ends being slightly enlarged.

6. The method of strengthening the facial muscles comprising the steps of inserting a substantially rigid elongated narrow member longitudinally between only one lip and the corresponding gum area, retaining the elongated narrow member in position through pressure by the teeth of the second gum area engaged with the rigid elongated member through a lateral extension thereon, stressing the lip by sequentially moving the lip over and inward relative to the member, and relaxing the lip, stressing of the lip over the member including simultaneously an upward and outward movement of the edges of the mouth through a tensioning of the surrounding muscles as in the act of smiling.

7. An exercising device for strengthening the facial muscles comprising an elongated arcuate member having spaced inner and outer faces and being insertable between a lip and the cor responding gum ofa user, and a retaining plate fixed centrally to said member and projecting generally laterally thereof, said cuate member can be effected by the edge engaging teeth, said plate being integrally formed with the elongated arcuate LII member and, for the width of said plate, generally following the curvature of said arcuate member, the opposite ends of said arcuate member projecting beyond said plate. 

